Abstract: The present invention relates to a door trim part with a lateral airbag module for a passenger car the support part of which is provided with a lateral impact protection in the form of an airbag.

Abstract: A multishell interior trim part for a side door of a passenger car consists of a function carrier interior shell (1) of a polypropylene, epoxy resin or polyurethane reinforced by natural fibers, and an outer shell (10) which partially or completely covers the interior shell (1) as seen by the passengers.

Abstract: A laminated panel-type structure particularly suited for vehicle interior applications such as headliners and door panels has a multiple denier polyester fiber core and randomly oriented structural reinforcing fibers. The laminated structure has superior sound attenuation properties resulting from a core of intertwined polyester fibers of differing deniers, with preferably relatively larger denier fibers on exterior areas of the core and some bicomponent fibers, short non-woven reinforcing fiber strands which are randomly attached and intertwined with the core on opposing major sides of the core, an impervious polymer film with a low melt layer which retains the reinforcing fibers against one side of the core and is attached to a scrim layer, and a polymer web on an opposite side of the core which retains the reinforcing fiber strands on the opposing major side of the core and to which a cover stock is applied.

Abstract: A laminated panel-type structure particularly suited for vehicle interior applications such as headliners and door panels has a multiple denier polyester fiber core and randomly oriented structural reinforcing fibers. The laminated structure has superior sound attenuation properties resulting from a core of intertwined polyester fibers of differing deniers, with preferably relatively larger denier fibers on exterior areas of the core and some bicomponent fibers, short non-woven reinforcing fiber strands which are randomly attached and intertwined with the core on opposing major sides of the core, an impervious polymer film with a low melt layer which retains the reinforcing fibers against one side of the core and is attached to a scrim layer, and a polymer web on an opposite side of the core which retains the reinforcing fiber strands on the opposing major side of the core and to which a cover stock is applied.

Abstract: A headliner is a laminate of multiple layers. The layers include polyurethane foam, agricultural fibers, a decorative material, and a backing. The agricultural fiber is jute, sisal, or kenaf or mixtures thereof. The method of making the headliner laminate includes making the sheet of agricultural fibers incorporating a binder, saturating a foam layer with an adhesive, putting one sheet of agricultural fibers on each side of the foam layer, applying the decorative material and backing to one side each, and squeezing the layers together to distribute the adhesive to all the layers and laminate them.

Abstract: A soft trim part is provided which is particularly suitable for an automobile interior dashboard or armrest. The trim part includes a core part made of expanded polypropylene ("EPP") to which a decorative layer (made of fabric and/or foil) is fused. To manufacture such a trim part, an edge zone of the EPP core part is heated above a melting temperature and the decorative layer is applied and pressed thereon, fusing the decorative layer to the EPP core part. The fused area cools to form a skin-like carrier layer which is relatively stiff and solid, holding the decorative layer to the core part.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder combination is mounted on the backside of a sewing machine and a piston rod projects from the cylinder toward the bed plate of the sewing machine intermediate the sewing machine head and the support standard. At the lower end of the piston rod is a seam gauge or guide to abut one edge of fabric being sewn by a needle. Retraction of the piston rod retracts the seam gauge from close proximity to the needle and bed plate. The piston and cylinder combination is mounted on a track secured to the back of the sewing machine. The piston and cylinder combination is movable transversely on the track for adjusting the spacing between the seam gauge and the needle.

Abstract: The device is a tubular seat frame for use in a vehicle application. The seat frame including a generally U-shaped seat base frame connected to a bracket member and a generally U-shaped seat back frame pivotally connected to the seat base frame through the bracket member for variable positioning by means of an adjustment means attached to the lower end of the seat back frame. The bracket member provides an extra wall at the pivot point to further support and retain the seat back frame. The bracket member providing a design for a lightweight seat frame which reduces overall weight while at the same time retaining its strength integrity.

Abstract: A presser foot includes an upstanding bar for attachment to the lifter shaft of a sewing machine. At its lower end are a pair of sole plates having a gap therebetween to accommodate the reciprocating motion of a needle and thread associated with the sewing machine. Attached to one of the sole plates is a curved, L-shaped shield which curves transversely in front of the gap between the upstream edges of the sole plates. The shield serves to deflect material on the upper surface of workpieces away from the gap and thereby prevents the clogging of the gap between the sole plates during the sewing operation.

Abstract: A support block is attached to the lower end of a presser foot lifter shaft of a sewing maching to support two separately mounted sole plates of 9 presser foot. One of the sole plates is mechanically retractable by a pneumatic piston and cylinder combination at the option of the operator and this is accomplished by an extension of the piston rod which is mechanically connected to one of the sole plates.

Abstract: Seat covers are sewn inside-out and then inverted to fit over a frame. Inversion is accomplished by threading the sewn seat cover over a pair of generally parallel arms. The sewn seat cover is generally in the form of a pocket. The closed end of the pocket is engaged by the blunt edge of a plate. The plate pushes the closed end between the arms forcing the structure of the pocket to ride up and over the top of the arms and downward between the two arms thereby inverting the seat cover to a right side out condition.

Abstract: Seat covers are sewn inside-out and then inverted to fit over a frame. Inversion is accomplished by threading the sewn seat cover over a pair of generally parallel arms. The sewn seat cover is generally in the form of a pocket. The closed end of the pocket is engaged by the blunt edge of a plate. The plate pushes the closed end between the arms forcing the structure of the pocket to ride up and over the top of the arms and downward between the two arms thereby inverting the seat cover to a right side out condition.

Abstract: A vehicular seat assembly includes a seat back portion which is translatable from first position wherein the lower end of the seat back is disposed proximate the back edge of a seat base member to a second position wherein the lower end of the seat back is disposed proximate the front edge of the base member. A latching and adjustment mechanism for controlling the attitude of the back with respect to the base member is also described.

Abstract: An automobile car seat which connects to a child safety seat includes armrests which are pivoted and extended from recessed positions within the back of the seat and a headrest. When extended, the armrests prevent lateral movement of a child on the seat. When pivoted into a substantially upright position, the headrest may then be detached from the back of the seat and be releasably mounted to the seating portion. Straps attached to the headrest and the back of the seat are pulled forward from the interior of the back, such that the straps restrain forward movement of the child. The seat may be a bucket seat and may be deployed as the passenger seat of the vehicle.

Abstract: Seat covers are sewn inside-out and then inverted to fit over a frame. Inversion is accomplished by threading the sewn seat cover over a pair of generally parallel arms. The sewn seat cover is generally in the form of a pocket. The closed end of the pocket is engaged by the blunt edge of a plate. The plate pushes the closed end between the arms forcing the structure of the pocket to ride up and over the top of the arms and downward between the two arms thereby inverting the seat cover to a right side out condition.

Abstract: A lumbar support mechanism for inclusion within a seat back includes a fixed frame, a movable frame which is adjustably mounted to the fixed frame, and an outwardly bowed arcuate resilient lumbar support member which is adjustably mounted to the movable frame. A control box is provided for adjusting the lumbar support member in either a horizontal or vertical direction and a pair of cables interconnect the support mechanism with the control box.

Abstract: A self-inflating support device is described. The device has utility in various environments, particularly in seating devices deployed in motorized vehicles. The support device comprises an inflatable bladder having a release structure to control air flow. A memory plate deployed within the inflatable bladder urges the bladder to full expansion when the release structure is open. When it is desired to form the support device to the contours of a body area, the release structure is opened while the body area is reclined thereagainst. The force of reclining compresses the bladder and memory plate. Closing the release structure retains the device in the desired contour by the static air mass formed therein. Reinflation is achieved without use of a pump by the action of the memory plate. When the valve is reopened, the memory plate expands the bladder, drawing air into the bladder through the release structure.

Abstract: Seat covers are sewn inside-out and then inverted to fit over a frame. Inversion is accomplished by threading the sewn seat cover over a pair of generally parallel arms. The sewn seat cover is generally in the form of a pocket. The closed end of the pocket is engaged by the blunt edge of a plate. The plate pushes the closed end between the arms forcing the structure of the pocket to ride up and over the top of the arms and downward between the two arms thereby inverting the seat cover to a right side out condition.

Abstract: A sewing machine sews a continuous zipper chain to two fabric side pieces. An adjacent severing device severs the sewn article into discrete units of a length selected by the operator. Operator observation of the severing device and sewn article is achieved by a mirror mounted between the sewing machine and the severing device.